The Duggars Take Their 19th Child Home From The Hospital

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Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have taken the youngest of their "19 & Counting" brood, micropreemie Josie Brooklyn, out of the hospital for the first time.

Updated at 9:16 PM EST on Tuesday, Apr 6, 2010

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have taken the youngest of their "19 & Counting" Brood, micropreemie Josie Brooklyn, out of the hospital for the first time.

"We're grateful for the prayers of thousands," Jim Bob told People magazine.

Josie, the couple's 19th child, was born on December 10 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital in Arkansas, via emergency c-section. She weighed just 1 lb., 6 oz. at her birth and was placed in the NICU for extended care. She also faced a bowel perforation at just 8 days old.

The family chose to spend Christmas in the hospital, instead of at their home in Tontitown, Ark., in order to be near the newborn, which was just two weeks old at the time.

On Tuesday, Josie weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz., and could breath without oxygen, Dr. Robert Arrington, Josie's physician told People. She is also able to eat every three hours and was deemed stable enough to leave the hospital finally.

"This is the first time Josie has seen sunlight," the doctor told the mag.

Dr. Arrington added that the staff at the hospital were pleased the little one was leaving the hospital with her family, but that they will miss her.

"I will miss being around the baby and the family," he said. "They are very nice people. But they've told me they will stay in touch and come by the nursery to let us see her."

As for Michelle, she told the magazine she was thrilled that her youngest daughter was finally coming home.

"We are so happy," she said. "We are so excited, we are running on adrenaline. I have been getting into the routine of every three hours feeding, diapering and taking her temperature. We are so encouraged that she is doing so well."

According to People, the Duggars will continue to live in a rental home in Little Rock, where they have been staying, and which is close to the hospital, until they can take Josie to their family home in Tontitown at a later date.